Anderson Cooper’s life is filled with love, resilience, and the bonds that tie a family together, even when it’s unconventional. Anderson, the famous CNN anchor, and his ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani, have found a way to co-parent their two young children.
Though they’re no longer together romantically, they share a deep connection and are united in raising their kids. Anderson and his two sons live in a converted fire station, a unique home that’s full of history and meaning. The firehouse, which Anderson turned into a cozy living space, reflects both his career and his personal life.
On February 10, 2022, Anderson excitedly shared the news of his second child’s birth on his show, Anderson Cooper 360. He introduced his son to the world with a heartwarming announcement. “This is Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper.
He was 6.8 pounds at birth, and he’s healthy and happy, even his occasional hiccups are to me adorable,” he said. “He mostly just sleeps, eats, and poops, but he already seems like a wise and thoughtful little champ.”
Anderson took a moment to thank the medical team and the surrogate who carried Sebastian, expressing deep gratitude for her sacrifices and the love she gave to his son.
This wasn’t the first time Anderson had shared such personal news on air. Two years earlier, when his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, was born, he also took to the airwaves to announce the arrival of his baby boy.
But Anderson didn’t just stop at sharing the birth of his children; he made it clear that his family was growing in a new way. When Anderson was interviewed on Live with Kelly and Ryan on February 25, 2022, he shared an update on how Wyatt was adjusting to being an older brother.
“They seem to be getting along really well,” he said with a smile. “I mean, ‘Getting along well’—Sebastian sleeps. He can’t say ‘Sebastian’ yet, so he calls him Luke. So every morning, he wants to go say ‘Good morning, Luke.'”
After Sebastian’s birth, Anderson took three weeks off from work for paternity leave, relishing his time with his boys. “It’s great to be able to come home and decompress,” he said before heading off for his time off.
He shared a special bonding moment with Wyatt, describing their nightly routine: “And every night, to be able to feed Wyatt and give him his milk, he falls asleep on my chest, and there’s nothing better.”
Each morning, Anderson, Wyatt, and Sebastian would make their way to a local diner, a special outing where Wyatt and Sebastian enjoyed their swims before heading home for their afternoon naps.
Anderson was filled with joy watching the brothers interact. “It’s incredible to witness their relationship,” he said. Wyatt and Sebastian even play with some of Anderson’s old toys, ones he used to play with when he was a boy. They have a bond that’s filled with love, playfulness, and growing together.
Benjamin Maisani, Anderson’s ex and the father of their children, has always been part of their family. Even though they’re no longer romantically involved, they share a special bond and a deep understanding of their roles as co-parents. Benjamin, a businessman and the owner of a popular bar called “Eastern Bloc,” has been there for Anderson and the boys.
“We’re a family,” Anderson said in an interview, emphasizing that their relationship is built on love and commitment to their children. Anderson revealed that when he worked late, Benjamin would be there to take care of the kids, waking up early to spend time with them.
Anderson also explained that Benjamin speaks French with the boys, showing the depth of their connection and how they raise their children together.
Benjamin’s relationship with Wyatt is special, too. He had already started the process of legally adopting Wyatt, who calls him “papa.” Anderson shared how Wyatt calls him “daddy,” and once the adoption is finalized, Wyatt’s last name would be changed to include both parents—Maisani-Cooper, just like Sebastian’s.
In a heartfelt moment in September 2023, Anderson reflected on fatherhood. “This is the best time in my life. There is no doubt about it,” he said. This new chapter of life brought Anderson joy and fulfillment, both as a parent and as a person.
But their family’s journey didn’t begin without its challenges. Anderson and Benjamin met in 2009, began their relationship in public in 2015, and, after a long time together, broke up in 2018. Yet, their bond never truly broke, and their commitment to each other and to their children remained strong.
In September 2021, Anderson shared more about the co-parenting arrangement that works for them. “It’s probably an unusual setup, but I knew he would be a great dad, and he is. We’re exes, but we’re family to each other, and we love each other as family and as co-parents,” Anderson said.
Their love, even though not in the traditional romantic sense, is clear, and their dedication to their kids is unshakable. They both agreed that love doesn’t have to change just because a relationship evolves.
Anderson’s journey to fatherhood wasn’t always easy. During a 2021 interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he shared how he and Benjamin had once wanted different things when it came to starting a family.
Anderson explained that Benjamin wasn’t sure if he wanted to have children, which contributed to their breakup. “It’s interesting, because he wasn’t really sure he wanted to have a kid—which is one of the reasons we probably broke up—but then, he came around to the idea,” Anderson said.
“Now he is such a great parent.” Their willingness to grow together, even in different directions, is what makes their co-parenting arrangement so special.
One of the most personal parts of Anderson’s life is his home. The 8,240 square-foot firehouse in Greenwich Village, New York, which he bought for $4.3 million in 2010, was transformed by Anderson into a family home. He gave a tour of it in 2020, showing off Wyatt’s nursery, which was still in progress at the time.
.@andersoncooper still has newspapers delivered every morning: “I find it comforting" https://t.co/ysiIHeM9Tw pic.twitter.com/QdwgHwwCAX
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 13, 2018
The room was filled with personal touches, including artwork by Anderson’s late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and items from his own childhood. “I want all the items in my son’s room to have personal history and significance,” Anderson said.
It was clear that every detail of his home reflected both the history of his family and the love he had for his sons.
Anderson’s home was a place of healing after loss, too. Anderson had faced deep grief after the death of his mother in 2019 and his brother, Carter, who died by suicide in 1988.
.@THR trails @andersoncooper – the busiest man in TV news – as he bounces back and forth from his West Village firehouse to CNN, interviewing nervous White House staffers, planning trips to hotspots and FaceTime-ing with his old buddy @Andy Cohen https://t.co/qd4bWjkUVa pic.twitter.com/vLXIxYgD9W
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 13, 2018
He spent years avoiding the grieving process but eventually opened up about it on his podcast, All There Is With Anderson Cooper. “It has certainly made me feel less alone,” Anderson shared, reflecting on the healing power of sharing grief with others.
Through all the ups and downs, Anderson has created a life filled with love, growth, and connection—both with his family and with himself. His story is a reminder that family doesn’t always look the same, but love is the bond that holds it all together.
